Members of the Independent Crusaders Keep it Real group join the Prairie View Trail Ride during the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade gets started on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) less

Members of the Independent Crusaders Keep it Real group join the Prairie View Trail Ride during the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade gets started on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Members of the Prairie View Trail Ride wave to the crowd during the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade gets started on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle )

Members of the Prairie View Trail Ride wave to the crowd during the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade gets started on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle )

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Members of the Acres Home Riding and Roping Club join the Prairie View Trail Ride wave to the crowd during the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade gets started on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) less

Members of the Acres Home Riding and Roping Club join the Prairie View Trail Ride wave to the crowd during the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade gets started on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Members of the Prairie View Trail Ride wave to the crowd during the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade gets started on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle )

Members of the Prairie View Trail Ride wave to the crowd during the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade gets started on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle )

The 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade celebrates western heritage as is kicks-off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo season on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle )

The 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade celebrates western heritage as is kicks-off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo season on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle )

Conroe High School is one of many marching bands to entertain the crowds during the Rodeo Clown Team join the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) less

Conroe High School is one of many marching bands to entertain the crowds during the Rodeo Clown Team join the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston ... more

Floyd Stewart holds the reigns for one of the many wagons parading with the Sam Houston Trail Ride during the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) less

Floyd Stewart holds the reigns for one of the many wagons parading with the Sam Houston Trail Ride during the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Floyd Stewart holds the reigns for one of the many wagons parading with the Sam Houston Trail Ride during the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) less

Floyd Stewart holds the reigns for one of the many wagons parading with the Sam Houston Trail Ride during the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Yound riders Chace Horace and Chance Horace wave at the crowds while ride with 7W-Uke Prairie View Trail Riders during the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade celebrates western heritage as is kicks-off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo season on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) less

Yound riders Chace Horace and Chance Horace wave at the crowds while ride with 7W-Uke Prairie View Trail Riders during the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade celebrates western heritage as is kicks-off the ... more

Chance Horace waves at the crowd while ride with 7W-Uke Prairie View Trail Riders during the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade celebrates western heritage as is kicks-off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo season on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) less

Chance Horace waves at the crowd while ride with 7W-Uke Prairie View Trail Riders during the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade celebrates western heritage as is kicks-off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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A young member of the Prairie View Trail Ride waves to the crowd of the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade celebrates western heritage as is kicks-off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo season on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) less

A young member of the Prairie View Trail Ride waves to the crowd of the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade celebrates western heritage as is kicks-off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo season on Saturday, ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Texas Independence Trail Ride participates in the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade celebrates western heritage as is kicks-off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo season on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) less

Texas Independence Trail Ride participates in the 76th Annual Houston Rodeo Parade celebrates western heritage as is kicks-off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo season on Saturday, March 1, 2014, in Houston. ... more

B.C Elmore Elementary School students pass by a Texan pride display on the hallways of their school. Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

B.C Elmore Elementary School students pass by a Texan pride display on the hallways of their school. Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

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B.C Elmore Elementary School students welcome the Northeastern Trail Riders to their school as they travel to Memorial Park on the last day of their eight-day journey. Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

B.C Elmore Elementary School students welcome the Northeastern Trail Riders to their school as they travel to Memorial Park on the last day of their eight-day journey. Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

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Northeastern Trail Rider Angela Reynolds shows her horse to B.C Elmore Elementary School kindergarten students during one of their break stops on their way to Memorial Park, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

Northeastern Trail Rider Angela Reynolds shows her horse to B.C Elmore Elementary School kindergarten students during one of their break stops on their way to Memorial Park, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

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A rodeo clown waves to one of the Northeastern Trail Riders as they arrive to Memorial Park, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

A rodeo clown waves to one of the Northeastern Trail Riders as they arrive to Memorial Park, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

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Damecko Williams, 7, Amarioe Shelvin, 8, and other B.C Elmore Elementary School students watch as the Northeastern Trail Riders arrive with horses and wagons to their school, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

Damecko Williams, 7, Amarioe Shelvin, 8, and other B.C Elmore Elementary School students watch as the Northeastern Trail Riders arrive with horses and wagons to their school, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

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Damecko Williams, 7, Amarioe Shelvin, 8, and other B.C Elmore Elementary School students watch as the Northeastern Trail Riders arrive with horses and wagons to their school, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

Damecko Williams, 7, Amarioe Shelvin, 8, and other B.C Elmore Elementary School students watch as the Northeastern Trail Riders arrive with horses and wagons to their school, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

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The Northeastern Trail Riders travel on Liberty Road on their way to Memorial Park. Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

The Northeastern Trail Riders travel on Liberty Road on their way to Memorial Park. Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

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The Northeastern Trail Riders pass under interstate under U.S Road 59 on Jensen Drive on their way to Houston, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

The Northeastern Trail Riders pass under interstate under U.S Road 59 on Jensen Drive on their way to Houston, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

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The Northeastern Trail Riders travel on Liberty Road on their way to Memorial Park. Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

The Northeastern Trail Riders travel on Liberty Road on their way to Memorial Park. Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

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A member of the Northeastern Trail Riders remembers Robert Joe with a black ribbon after the rider died yesterday of a heart attack. Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

A member of the Northeastern Trail Riders remembers Robert Joe with a black ribbon after the rider died yesterday of a heart attack. Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

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Members of the Houston Rodeo Trail Ride Committee pay their respect by removing their hats as the Northeastern Trail Ride arrives to memorial Park, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston. Robert Joe, a founding member of the ride died yesterday. less

Members of the Houston Rodeo Trail Ride Committee pay their respect by removing their hats as the Northeastern Trail Ride arrives to memorial Park, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston. Robert Joe, a founding ... more

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

Image 52 of 58

Damecko Williams, 7, welcomes with his cowboy hat the Northeastern Trail Riders, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014 to his school B.C Elmore Elementary School in Houston.

Damecko Williams, 7, welcomes with his cowboy hat the Northeastern Trail Riders, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014 to his school B.C Elmore Elementary School in Houston.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

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Amarioe Shelvin, left, 8, and Damecko Williams watch as the Northeastern Trail Riders arrive with their wagon and horses to their school B.C Elmore Elementary School, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

Amarioe Shelvin, left, 8, and Damecko Williams watch as the Northeastern Trail Riders arrive with their wagon and horses to their school B.C Elmore Elementary School, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

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Donna Beth Shaw also known as Miss Daisy knits as she waits for the trail riders to arrive to Memorial Park, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston. Shaw used to ride with the Valley Lodge Trail Riders, now she cheers for them. less

Donna Beth Shaw also known as Miss Daisy knits as she waits for the trail riders to arrive to Memorial Park, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston. Shaw used to ride with the Valley Lodge Trail Riders, now she ... more

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

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Shelley Aronone, Noelle Hirst, Kendra Cox, Melanie Benny rock their patriotic shirts in Memorial Park right after their arrival to the park, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston. The ladies are members of the Texas Independence Trail Riders. less

Shelley Aronone, Noelle Hirst, Kendra Cox, Melanie Benny rock their patriotic shirts in Memorial Park right after their arrival to the park, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston. The ladies are members of the ... more

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

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Noelle Hirst embraces Tina Wargo right after arriving to Memorial Park, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston. Hirst and Wargo are both members of the Texas Independence Trail Riders.

Noelle Hirst embraces Tina Wargo right after arriving to Memorial Park, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston. Hirst and Wargo are both members of the Texas Independence Trail Riders.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

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Randy Crowder walk with his rooster Tyson at Memorial Park during the arrival of the trail riders, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

Randy Crowder walk with his rooster Tyson at Memorial Park during the arrival of the trail riders, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Houston.

Photo: Marie D. De Jesús, Houston Chronicle

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Cowboys trek through downtown to Rodeo kickoff

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Tradition is the driving force behind many of the 3,000 cowboys who participate in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's Trail Ride, which ended Saturday as riders merged into the parade for the final stretch to the rodeo grounds.

The rhythm of the ride has much the same feel as when it started in 1952: Riders rise at dawn, clean their campgrounds, feed the horses and prepare meals for a 6 a.m. departure on their journey from their hometown into Memorial Park.

Some have spent the entire year, outside of their day jobs, planning details of the ride. The effort is well spent, said 55-year-old Ricky Nelson, who made the weeklong, 70-mile trek from Anderson in Grimes County with the Texas Cattleman's trail riders, one of 13 groups involved in this year's ride.

For kids, grandkids

Nelson returned to the ride two years ago after taking a break in 1982 to raise his family. His teenage nephew joined the ride and Nelson is excited for his toddler grandson to be old enough to come too.

"It's important for the future," said Nelson, who works in heavy machinery only because he says being a cowboy doesn't pay the bills. "Once I got my kids raised, I realized how important this was. If I didn't step in, nobody was going to continue it. This is for the kids. This is for our grandkids."

Riders spend the entire week on the road, which occasionally proves to be dangerous. Just a few days prior Nelson and his horse Bandit were hit by a motorcycle. Neither were injured.

"People on the road have no idea," Nelson said. "They come by blowing horns. They're being friendly, but the horses get scared."

Despite the risks, Nelson has an undeniable bond to the cowboy life. He even describes his dream job as one he spent working on a cattle ranch.

"I was riding since I was 2 years old," he said. "My dad had horses, all of my family had horses. I was raised around horses my whole life. I have been a cowboy all my life."

Rewarding journey

While Nelson's group had one of the shortest rides, 45 riders from the Los Vaqueros traveled 386 miles from the Reynosa, Mexico-Hidalgo border.

David Ramirez, trail boss of the Los Vaqueros, has a day job in Houston, but takes three of his four weeks of vacation to do the ride.

"The most rewarding part of it is seeing the gratification and seeing the big smiles on the children's faces," Ramirez said. "We go through about nine schools and we take the trail ride to the children."

The group was started 41 years ago in 1973 by Ramirez's father, Larry, and David has been doing trail rides since the age of 12. He now has four children who participate in trail rides and three who made the ride.

"We ride for tradition, and it's a hobby for the children," Ramirez said. "It's a lot of work, but it's a lot of fun."